Liver Disease

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, facing end-of-life issues and decisions can be a difficult challenge. The ever-changing emotions and feelings of uncertainty, as well as the complexity of treatment and care options, makes it challenging to choose the best course of action for you and your family. Your search for the absolute best care and support does not end when you are told that curative treatment options are no longer recommended. The good news is that quality hospice care and palliative care services are widely available for liver disease patients and offer comprehensive pain and symptom management along with end-of-life care that liver disease patients and their families need.

Taking the time to learn about hospice and the level of care it offers to liver disease patients will help you understand all of the available options and better prepare you to make the time you have more comfortable.

While there are treatments and medical procedures that may help a liver disease patient live longer, once these treatment options have become ineffective, it becomes a very personal decision for the patient about how long they want to continue the fight. When the symptoms of the disease or side effects of treatment or medication outweigh the possible benefits, that’s when many end-stage liver disease patients decide to stop aggressive medical treatment and consider alternative options like hospice care.

Hospice care is specialized type of medical care for people with life-limiting illnesses, like end-stage liver disease. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, the pain and stress of liver disease. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family.

At All Caring Hospice we recognize the courage it takes to help a loved one who is suffering from a life-limiting illness. We also understand the physical and emotional stress it places on you to care for this loved one.

If you are reading the information on this web page, chances are you, or someone you love, is a liver disease patient or a family member affected by liver disease, and treatment is either under way or being considered. Your search for answers to important questions about care and support for your loved one do not stop when you are confronted with the realization that there may be no available curative treatment options. The physical hardship of liver disease happens to the patient but this illness affects the family as a whole. All Caring hospice care for liver disease patients is here to help you and your loved ones.

All Caring Hospice recognizes the emotional toll and immense courage it takes to help a loved one who is suffering from a terminal illness like liver disease. Call 1-330-286-3435 to see if hospice care is an appropriate option.

When should hospice care be considered for patients with end-stage liver disease?

Regardless of how accomplished a patient’s physician is or how loving and supportive the family has been, there may come a time when continued aggressive medical treatment may be looked at as more of a burden than a benefit for all parties involved. Patients with end-stage liver disease often experience fatigue, weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), swelling of the legs and abdomen, appetite loss and weight loss, nausea, itchy skin and hiccups.

Even if the patient has opted out of additional medical treatments for their liver disease, their comfort, safety and dignity need to be preserved along with addressing their personal concerns and wishes. Our interdisciplinary Hospice care team can provide care and support for patients with liver failure and their families.

The patient’s physician(s) may recommend hospice care when the time is appropriate. Oftentimes, patients and their families may have to be their own advocates to initiate the hospice care they desire. The patient, their family, or the patient’s doctor may request an evaluation and consultation with All Caring to determine if hospice is an appropriate option.

Benefits of All Caring Hospice Care for Liver Disease Patients

The All Caring hospice team will evaluate the patient’s medical status and revise their care plan as the patient’s condition and symptoms change. The goal of hospice care for liver disease patients is to treat pain and other symptoms and relieve the physical and emotional stress to ensure the greatest level of comfort for our patients and their families.

Symptom Control – Our Hospice Care team regularly assesses each patient’s condition and works with the physician to determine the most effective treatment and medication options to maximize symptom control.

Hospice Care at Home – Wherever Home May Be – The goal of hospice care is to support patients by meeting their needs and managing their care at home – wherever they may call home. This means hospice services are provided in a patient’s home, whether that is their primary residence, a nursing home, or home of a loved one. Allowing one to stay at their home gives them the ultimate comfort when addressing terminal illnesses.

Coordinated Care Approach – Hospice care is a team effort. The patient’s family and loved ones are actively involved along with a team of professionals and volunteers. With the help and support of the hospice care team, the patient and their family can attain physical, emotional, and spiritual preparation for the end of life.

Holistic Approach – Emotional and Spiritual Support – Therapy and counseling services add an additional level of care to the hospice services provided by All Caring Hospice. Therapy and counseling are non-invasive, holistic practices which enhance the medical, social and spiritual care of the hospice team. These practices promote comfort and wholeness for both patients and their families. Therapy and counseling sessions are provided by staff and volunteers of the All Caring hospice team.

The patient’s primary doctor may recommend hospice care when the time is right. However, patients and their families may have to be their own advocates to receive the care that the they deserve and desire. You, a family member or your personal doctor may request and consultation and evaluation to determine if hospice is an appropriate option of care.

“They were excellent, and we appreciate everything they did. I would definitely recommend.”

Roger S.Son

“Thank you for making my mother’s last days comfortable.”

Pam M.Daughter

“The hospice team was amazing. There were no surprises at the end because I was thoroughly educated by Rhonda and her aide. I knew what to expect and knew what to do.”

Tammy D.Niece

“My family and I sincerely appreciate the empathy with which the hospice team dealt with our loved one and us as a family during his extended illness. Each member of the team was very attentive and responsive to whatever need we presented to them.”

Rebecca W.Wife

“I will be forever grateful for the Director’s advice to call my sons home. We had been told that he had 3-6 months but when she came to speak with us, she could tell it would be sooner. They quickly got a hospital bed and pain meds for him that night. By the next day, my sons arrived and he died the following day with his family surrounding him. Thank you!”

Carol R.Wife

“Everyone was wonderful. I can’t say enough good things about the care received. They were always there for us. It was a blessing to have the team during this most difficult of times.”

Nancy F.Daughter

“Hospice team members were excellent. RNs always responded whenever we needed them. I was entirely happy with the hospice team.”

Bob O.Grandson

“God Bless Each of you.”

Alan H.Son

“My mother received very good care. There was always someone to talk to when needed. Her nurse even called me on her OFF days to see how she was, and even came by the hospital. You have a very good service. Thanks for the great care of my mother!”

Tiffany A.Daughter

“The care that was provided by the hospice team was very excellent and was done with love and special care. They were very friendly and always did their job very well. My husband was very well cared for by everyone.”

Dawn B.Wife

“The nurses and caretakers took good care of my mother. God bless you all!”

Tom S.Son

“The nurse and staff were very professional and personable. The book given out was wonderful in helping in the journey for the family.”

Kurt K.Nephew

ABOUT ALL CARING HOSPICE

All Caring Hospice is a leading provider of passionate, competent and comprehensive end-of-life care programs in Youngstown and the surrounding Communities in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Ashtabula, Geauga, Portage, Stark, Carroll and Jefferson Counties in Ohio.

“They were excellent, and we appreciate everything they did. I would definitely recommend.”

Roger S.Son

“Thank you for making my mother’s last days comfortable.”

Pam M.Daughter

“The hospice team was amazing. There were no surprises at the end because I was thoroughly educated by Rhonda and her aide. I knew what to expect and knew what to do.”

Tammy D.Niece

“My family and I sincerely appreciate the empathy with which the hospice team dealt with our loved one and us as a family during his extended illness. Each member of the team was very attentive and responsive to whatever need we presented to them.”

Rebecca W.Wife

“I will be forever grateful for the Director’s advice to call my sons home. We had been told that he had 3-6 months but when she came to speak with us, she could tell it would be sooner. They quickly got a hospital bed and pain meds for him that night. By the next day, my sons arrived and he died the following day with his family surrounding him. Thank you!”

Carol R.Wife

“Everyone was wonderful. I can’t say enough good things about the care received. They were always there for us. It was a blessing to have the team during this most difficult of times.”